Conveying devices for accelerating and timing articles



F. M. LEFIEF June 24, 1958 CONVEYING DEVICES FOR ACCELEEATING AND TIMINGARTICLES Filed April 24, 1957 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 8 3 9. I aq a ouncecoco a IH Q.

INVENTOR. FRANK M. LEF'IEF ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 F. M. LEFIEF com/2mm;DEVICES FOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLES Filed April 24. 1957 7Sheets-Sheet 2 fi o o Z Z I a m. .h @m .0 O0 8 I 2 74 Q 3 H 3 Q k 3 v Ml U fl. W

INVENTOR. FRA /v/( M. LEF/EF ATTORNEY F. M. LEFlEF 2,840,224

CONVEYING DEVICES FOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLES June 24, 1958 7Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 24, 1957 INVENTOR. FRA IYK M LEF/EF BY g ATTOR/VEY F. M. LEFIEF June 24, 1958 CONVEYING DEVICES FOR ACCELERATINGAND TIMING ARTICLES 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 24, 1957 IN VEN TOR.FRA NK M. L EF/EF BY W$.W

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ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 F. M. LEFIEF 2,840,224

CONVEYING osvxcss FOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLES Filed April 24,1957 7 Sheets-Shet 5 Fig. 9

INVENTOR. FRANK M. LEFIEF' A TTORNEY June 24, 1958 F. M. LEFIEF2,340,224

CONVEYING DEVICES FOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLES Filed April 24,1957 7 Sheets$heet e INVENTOR. FRANK M. LEF/EF A TTORNE'Y June 24, 1958F. M. LEFIEF 2 CONVEYING DEVICESFOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLESFiled April 24, 1957' '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR. FRANK M. LEF/EFATTORNEY 2,840,224 Patented June 24, 1958 nited States Patent QfiiiceCONVEYING DEVICES FOR ACCELERATING AND TIMING ARTICLES FrankM. Lefief,Palo Alto, Calif., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Baljak'Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationApril 24, 1957, Serial No; 654,928

17 Qlaims. (Cl.198'34)- This invention relates to the art of packaging.

Articles of merchandise to be packaged undergo a series of operationswhich are performed by special mechanical equipment at individualstations, and a conveyor is commonly employed for moving the articlesfrom one station to the next. The conveyor motion may be of thestop-and-go type, in which case the output is relatively limited.-, Theconveyor motion may also be continuous, in which event the output isgreater.

There are many instances where a packagingstation must receive articlesin a precisely defined position andin predetermined intervals of time.Frequently a further requirement is added, namely that the articles mustpass the station at a predetermined rate of speed.

Problems arise where the supply to a conveyor or packaging line isirregular; Such instances occur, for example, where manual operationsareinvolved either. at the initial stage, or at an intermediate stage, ofthe packaging operation. Such situations arise, for example, wherepackages are manually filled, weighed, or checked. Similar situationsarise at a point of convergence of the output of several fullymechanized supply lines in anyone of which irregularities may developleading to a temporary scarcity or oversupply of articles whichth'en'reach the packaging line singly, or in groups comprising aplurality of units backed up'end-to-end, with irregular space intervalsbetween the units or groupsof units.

Further complications arise where from a point of sometimes'uniform andsometimes non-uniform supply the articles must be accelerated toa highvelocity. for passage through subsequent stations.

Slow rates of acceleration are undesirable, since they result in a greatlength of the path during which the required acceleration takes place,thus requiring much floor space. Limits are set to the permissible rateof acceleration by the nature of the merchandisewhich may-bedamaged ordisplaced by too rapid rates of acceleration.

A typical example of the aforementioned problems is presented in thepackagingof fresh fruits and vegetables about to be frozen. The food ispackaged in preformed hinge-cover folding boxes. The packaging isgenerally done by hand and requires weighing, since many types of fooddo not lend themselves to loading by volumetric measurement. The outputof a manual packaging and weighing line is by necessity non-uniform. Atcertain times individually filled boxes pass down the line while atother times boxes arrive in such numbers that they are backed upend-to-end. At this point the boxes are-still open, to be closed at asubsequent station at which the boxes pass an automatic box closingmachine capable of operating at high rates of speed, up to 400 boxes perminute.

Where the packaged food is bulky and where there is danger that portionsof the contents project above the top edges of the boxes, so as tointerfere with the'operation of thebox closing machine, it isnecessaryto compact the contents at a station before the closing station.

The compacting station is usually equipped with an 2- 7 i automaticmachine for pressing downthe box contents below the top edgesof the boxby means of paddles or plungers. During this operation the side wallsandthe end .walls'- of the box must be firmly supported to preventbursting of the box. Compacting machines are capable of operating atrates of the order of 400boxe's per minute, and it is readily seen thatthe box must arriv'e: at -the machine at a precisely predeterminedmoment and-in a precisely predetermined position so that'the paddle orplunger of the machine is accurately ce'ntered -and 'bears down on thecontents, butnot on thetboxawa lls."

The compactingstation is followed: by a closing station at which thehinged coverof the'boxais closedand locked. The closed box is thenusually overwrapped at an overwrapping station at whicha sheet of waxpaper, regenerated cellulose or other suitable sheet. material isapplied.

In the given example the problem of conveying. the filled boxes from apoint of supply at which the boxes are practically at rest, or slowlymoving, to a station past which the boxes must move at predetermined.spaced and timed intervals and at a predetermined high rate of speed isfurther complicated by the need for accelerating the boxes and theircontents without dislocation or loss of a portion of the contents.Certain foods, such as linia beans, peas, Brussels sprouts, are easilythrown fron'rthe boxesunless the acceleration is' gradual;

Problems identical with or similar to the ones'describ'ed areencountered in other phases of the packaging industry and are solved bythe present invention which provides a device which'accepts articlessuppliedtovthe device in irregular order and conveys and delivers them,in timed and spaced order of delivery andat a prede termined high rateof speed.

The invention, illustrated and explained by its'particular applicationto a conveyingdevice for handling filled frozen food boxes, teaches howarticles accepted-singly or in groups, with irregular spaces betweenindividual articles and groups may be automatically separated-andspaced, accelerated, and, if desired, so controlled that they passcertain stations not only at a predetermined high linear velocity, butalso in aarequired positionalrelationship. a s l The objects, featuresand advantages of this invention will appear more fully fromthe detaileddescription which follows accompanied by drawingsshowing; for thepurpose of illustration, a preferred embodiment ofthe invention.-Theinvention also resides in certain new and original features ofconstruction and combination, as well as sub-combination, of elementshereinafter set forth and claimed.

Although the characteristic features of this invention which arebelieved to be novel will be particularly pointed out'inv the claimsappended hereto, the invention itself, its objects and advantages, andthemanner'in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of it, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, from above, of the receiving end of theconveying mechanism, the mechanism being shown empty of boxes; 7

Figure 2 shows the mechanism of Figure 1 after entry of two spaced boxesinto the mechanism;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the mechanism'fof Figures 1 and 2 atan advanced stage of the operation at whichthe boxes shown in Figure2.have' advanced and are followed by a group of boxes backed upend-toend;

Figure '4 shows themechanism of Figures 1 to 3 at a further advancedstage of the operation at which certain boxes have moved off andadditional boxes are received;

, generic in their application.

- the receiving end of the machine;

- Figure 6 is a perspectiveview of the transfer portion, the directionof the view being toward the delivery endof themechanisrn atwhich thepack-down machine is located;

Figure 7 is a perspective side view of a portion of the drive lyingonthe opposite side of the transfer portion shown in Figure T Figures 8and 9 are perspective views, from above, showing the separation of boxeswhich are interlocked or entangled by reason of overlapping of coverflaps;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic plan view of theportion of the conveyingmechanism shown in Figure 1;

Figure 11' is a diagrammatic elevational view of the mechanism ofFigure. 10 showing details of the drive, portions of which are also seenin Figure 7;

' Figure 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of a modified mechanism in whichthe timing conveyor has lugs along one side of the box track, instead ofalong both sides as shown in Figures 1 to 11; and

4 Figure 13 illustrates the action of the mechanism of Figure 12 whenhandling a group of boxes backed up 'end-to-end. s r In the followingdescription and in the claims various details will be identified fbyspecific names for convenience. The names, however, are intended to beCorresponding reference characters refer to corresponding parts in theseveral figures of the drawings. a I

The drawings accompanying, and forming part .of,'thisspecificationdisclose certain specific details of the invention for thepurpose of explanation ofv broader aspects, but it is understood thatthe details may be modified in various respects without departure fromthe principles of the invention and that the invention may be applied toother structures than the one shown.

'minute. The compacting mechanism is described and illustrated inconsiderable detail in a prior Patent No. 2,718,992 to T. R. Baker etal. dated September 27, 1955, entitled Pack-Down Machine for FoldingBoxes and Cans.

As previously indicated, the compacting machine is served by a conveyorin which the filled folding boxes are walled in. along four sides toprevent bursting of the boxes when the plunger compresses the boxcontents below the level defined by the top edges of the box walls.

The walling in of the folding boxes is accomplished by two widevertically extending rails along the conveyor. .These rails arestationary and engage the front wall of the box as well as the back'wallto which the cover is hinged. The conveyor proper carries an uprightwall or plate for each box against which the leading side wall of thebox bears, and a further wall or plate on the conveyor engages thetrailing side wall of the box. The latter wallor plate of the conveyoris tharithe conveyor, so as to move the box against the front platebefore the .backplate swings into vertical position to complete theenclosureof the box along its fourth side. a r

"The conveyor of a compacting machine is visible at the left of Figure 6and will be described later.

cepts boxes either singly or in groups.

The conveyingmechanism about to be described in greater detail comprisesa receiving conveyor which ac- The receiving conveyor is combined with atiming conveyor which automatically spaces the boxes and times them. Anintermediate conveyor then picks "up the spaced and timed boxes andadvances them to a delivery conveyor. The delivery conveyor dischargesthe boxes accurately timed and spaced and at a high linear velocity. Inthe illustrated application of the invention the delivery conveyordischarges into the conveyor of the pack-down machine.

During the travel of the boxes from the receiving end of the receivingconveyor to the discharge by the delivery conveyor the boxes areaccelerated, but the acceleration is so gradual, even though occurringwithin a relatively short distance, as to prevent loss or evendisplacement of the box contents.

Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows the receiving end of theconveying mechanism. A pair of rails 11 and 12 define a track 13 withinwhich folding boxes may move from the far end towards the observer.

A receiving conveyor for feeding boxes into the track 13 comprises twofriction belts 14 and 15 trained around pulleys 16, 17, 18 and 19 onhorizontal shafts 20 and 21. Shaft 21 carries a sprocket gear 22 aroundwhich a drive chain 23 extends. Between the shafts 20 and 21 the belts14 and 15 are supported by rollers 24. The receiving conveyor 14, 15 mayhe termed a vertical conveyor because the feed and return runs of thebelts lie in substantially the same vertical plane.

A timing conveyor also extends into the track 13. The timing conveyormay be termed a horizontal conveyor and comprises chains 25 and 26equipped with sets of lugs 27 and 28, respectively. The chains 25 and 26extend around terminal sprocket gears 29, 30 and 31, 32 on verticalshafts 33, 34, 35 and 36. Shafts 34 and 36 are drive shafts and are alsoseen in Figures 6 and 7. a

The chains 25 and 26 are so spaced that only the lugs 27 and 28 protrudebeyond the rails 11 and 12 and extend into the track 13. The lugs 27 ofthe chain 25 are staggered with respect to the lugs 28 of the chain 26,and the space between a lug and the opposite rail is slightly more thanthe width of the boxes to be handled. The space between the two rows ofopposite lugs 27 and 28 is less than the width of the boxes.

The distance between alternate lugs, i. e. the distance from a lug 28 tothe next lug 27 is less than the length of the box to be handled. Thesedimensions are also apparent from Figures 2 and 3 showing boxes 37 onthe track 13. Supporting rails 38 and 39 support the lugs 27 and 28 andprevent sagging of the chains 25 and 26.

For the purpose of explanation of the operation of the device it may beassumed that the boxes to be handled measure four inches in width andfive and onequarter inches in length. It may further be assumed thatboth belts 14 and 15 of the receiving conveyor move at a velocity of 6.5inches per time unit, and that the lugs 27 and 28 of the timing chainsadvance at a slower velocity of 4.5 inches per time unit.

In Figures 2 to 7 the boxes 37 are shown without covers for the sake ofclarity. The covers were removed so as not to obscure portions of themechanism, particularly the lugs of the conveyors and other elementsabout to be described.

Figure 2 shows two boxes 37 and 37 Box 37, entered the track 13 firstand was grasped by the receiving conveyor 14, 15, which engages thebottom of the box. Box 37 entered the track shortly after box 37sufficiently later to provide a substantial space between the two boxes.It is apparent from Figure 2 that box 37 entered the track in a slightlyslanted position.

The conveyor 14, 15 moves both boxes at a faster rate than the rate ofadvance of the lugs 27, 28 of the timing conveyor 25, 26. Because of itsslanted position the box 37 cleared the lug 27 appearing near the centerof the figure and is in a position in which its left leading cornerswill come to bear against the lug 28' appearing between the two boxes.When this happens, the traveling speed of the box which originally was6.5 inches per time unit is reduced to 4.5 inches per time unit. Box 37is shown in the position which box 37 will assume when it approaches theend of the run of the timing conveyor 25, 26, except that the box 37will then be engaged by the lug 28 visible in Figure 2 between the twoboxes.

It is also readily seen that box 37 would have engaged a lug 27, if thebox had been slanted in the opposite direction when it entered the track13. Since the distance between the lugs 27 and 28 is slightly less thanthe width of the boxes, spaced boxes automatically run into the row oflugs 27 or into the opposite row 28, whereafter the boxes advance at therate of the timing conveyor.

Additional means are provided to insure positive engagement of the boxesby the lugs of the timing conveyor. Horizontally disposed pusherelements are provided which are so arranged that all boxes arepositively forced into engagement with the lugs of the timing conveyoron one side or on the opposite side of the track.

Referring to Figure l, rotating arms 40 and 41 are mounted on verticalshafts 42 and 43. The shafts also carry sprocket gears 44 and 45 in meshwith the inner runs of the chains 25 and 26, resulting in rotation ofthe arms 40 and 41 in timed relationship with the lugs of the timingconveyor.

The distance between the end of the fully extended arm 40 and theopposite rail 12 is slightly more than the width of the box, but thedistance between the arm 40 and the lug 28 is less than the width of theboxes, so

that boxes engaged by the arm are positively forced into engagement withone of the lugs 28. Similarly, the arm 41 swinging into the track fromthe opposite side forces boxes engaged by the arm 41 into engagementwith the lugs 27.

This actionis illustrated in Figure 2 where the arm 40 is shown inapproximately fully extended position in which box 37 is forcedinto thepath of the lug 28 at the bottom of the illustration. At this phase ofthe operation the opposite arm 41 is in fully retracted position, 180degrees out of phase with the arm 40.

In comparing the angular position of the arms 40 and 41 it should beremembered that arm 40 moves in a clockwise direction while arm 41 movesin a counterclockwise direction. At the instant illustrated in Figure 2the arm 40 has moved a few degrees past the position in which it isfully extended into the track and arm 41 is shown an equal number ofdegrees advanced beyond the position in which it formed a right anglewith regard to the rail 12.

Figure 3 illustrates the machine at a later phase of the operation atwhich the box 37 has nearly reached the end of the track 13. Threefurther boxes entered the track in the meantime. The first of these,identified as 37 has come to rest against the lug 27 visible near thecenter of the figure. The next two boxes, 37., and 37 are backed upend-to-end, but have assumed slightly staggered positions because of thestaggered arrangement of the lugs 27, 28. The boxes are arrested withrespect to the timing conveyor only by reason of the engagement of theleading box 37 with the lug 27 and will continue to advance in thisposition until box 37 is released by the timing conveyor. This is shownin Figure 4 illustrating the instant at which the lug 27, which hadpreviously engaged the leading end of box 37 was just withdrawn from thetrack 13. At this point the released box 37 is advanced by anintermediate conveyor comprising belts 46 and 47 later to be described.At this point it is suflicient to state that the "6 intermediateconveyor 46, 47 moves at a higher velocity than the timing conveyor 25,26, thereby removing the released box 37 at an accelerate'drate. v i

As soon as the box 37 is released by the lug 27which previously held it,the entire row of boxes 37 through 37'; advances under the action of thereceiving conveyor 14, 15 which, as will be remembered, advances twoinches farther per time unit thanth'e timing conveyor. The box 37however, which previously was only retarded by its engagement with thetrailing wall of the box 379 is only free to advance until it comes tobear against the lug 28 which is a fraction of an inch in advance of thebox 37 and is visible. near the bottom of the figure. The box 37cannot'escape engagement by the lug 28 because of the action of rotatingpusher arm 40 which forces the box over, if the box' is not already ina'position to move against the lug 28. When the box 37 is finallyreleased, the next box 37 comes to bear against the lug 27 visible justabove the pusher arm 40 and the opposite pusher arm 41 insures that thebox 37 will not miss the lug 27..

It is seen from Figure 4 that the staggered arrangement of the lugs onthe timing conveyor automatically results in a corresponding arrangementof the boxes traveling along the track 13. Since folding boxes aredeformable to a certain degree and since the boxes may comprisestructural elements, such as covers or flaps (not shown in Figures 1 to4) which c'ause'the boxes to be entangled to such an extent thattheboxes undergo deformation rather than lateral shifting, the pusherarms 40 and 41 are provided as a safety measure to insure that each boxprior to its release moves into positive engagement with one of the lugsof the timing conveyor. An example of such entanglement will later bedescribed in connection with Figures 8 and 9.

Figure 5 illustrates the central portion of the conveying mechanism, theend of the rails 11 and 12 and the'beginning of further rails 111 and112 which define a con tinuation 113 of the track 13 beyond theend ofthe timing conveyor 25, 26.

The run of the intermediate conveyor-46, 47 is coextensive withthe endof the run of the timing conveyor, and boxes released by the timingconveyor are frictionally engaged by the intermediate conveyor andaccelerated before being moved into the grip of a further'deliveryconveyor also located between the rails 111 and 112.

The belts 46 and 47 of the intermediate conveyor are trained aroundpulleys 48 and 49 on the shaft 21 (Figure 1) at one end and the otherend of the intermediate conveyor is defined by further pulleys 50, 51(Figure 6).

The intermediate conveyor 46, 47 frictionally engages the bottom of theboxes and advances them at an accelerated rate of the order of 8.75inches per time unit into the track extension 113.

The ditference between the speed of 4.5 inches per time unit of thetiming conveyor, and the speed of 8.75 inches per time unit of theintermediate conveyor automatically causes separation of boxes whichwere backed up end-to-end during their travel between the rails 11 and12.

The delivery conveyor comprises a substantially vertically disposedchain 52 carrying lugs 53 moving alongside the intermediate conveyor 46,47. The run of the delivery conveyor 52 is coextensive with the end ofthe run of the intermediate conveyor 46, 47 which feeds the conveyor 11inches in the illustrated example. The lugs 53 of the delivery conveyor52 are so timed that boxes carried by the intermediate conveyor 46, 47move into the path of the lugs 53,sorne .distancel behind the last lugraised into the path of the track portion 113, but well in advance ofthe next lug 53'about to rise into the path ofthe boxes at. the end ofthe delivery? conveyor. This relationship is illustratedin Figure 6where the box 37 is being moved into the track portion 113 ,behind thebox 37 whose of the next lug 53 which moves into the path of the boxesbehind the b01137, as the chain 52 moves around the end sprocket wheel54 (Figure 11).

By reason of the higher speed of the delivery conveyor 52 the lug 53,whichis shown some distance behind the box 37,, catches up to the boxand positively advances it by the time the box hasreached the positionoccupied by the box 37 in Figure 6. i

Once the boxes are engaged by the lugs 53 of the delivery conveyor theyadvance at intervals determined by the spacing of the lugsj53 atthelhigh rate of speed of the delivery conveyor. ,7

In Figure 6 the delivery conveyor is shown to discharge the boxes intothe pockets of a further conveyor forming a part of a packdown machine.The chain portion of the conveyor 60 of the packdown machineis notvisible, but the elements. between which the boxes' are walled in areshown. These comprise twofixed lateral rails 58 and 59 snugly engagingthe front and back Walls of the boxes. The conveyor 60 carries uprightleading walls or plates 61 and trailing walls 62 hingedly arranged andso controlled that the walls are automatically moved downto admit a box,as the. respective conveyor pocket moves intothe space between thelateral rails 58 and 59. The box 37 in advance of the box 37 in Figure 6is in the process of being moved against a' leading wall 61 of theconveyor 60. At this moment the box 37 is still being advanced by thelug 53 engaging its trailing side wall. Shortly thereafter the lug 53withdraws downwardly as, the chain 52 moves around its far end sprocket(not visible). At this moment the hinged trailing wall 62 of theconveyor pocket rises, so that the box 37 is now confined along .allfour walls in preparation of the decent of the pad or plunger 63 of thepackdown machine which enters the space between the box walls andcompacts the box contents to a level below the top edges of the boxwalls. i

In Figure 6, as in the preceding figures, the boxes are shown withtheircovers removed. In actual practice, however, the box covers extendupright from the back walls of the boxes on the far side with respect tothe observer, and a guide rail 64 isprovided for deflecting any boxcovers which might accidentally lean over a box body as the boxesapproach the packdown station.

Figures 8 and 9 show filled boxes passing towards the intermediateconveyor 46, 47. The boxes are frozen food boxeswith box covers 65. Thecovers include flaps along three sides which during the closingoperation are folded over and locked'with the front and side walls ofthe box. A detailed disclosure of this form of hinge cover box is foundin the United States patent to Stenger, No. 2,785,845, issued March19,1957.

Prior to the closing of the ,boxes the fiapsof the box cover overlap, ifthe boxes are backed up end-to-end. This position is shown in Figure 8where the trailing flap 66 of the cover 65 on the box about to bereleased by the timing conveyor overlaps the inside of the'leading flap67 extending from the cover 65 of the next box. This overlap tends todraw the second box away from thelug 28. At thismoment the pusher armcomes into action and forces the leading end of the second box towardsthe The gear 22 is also visible in Figure l.

rail 12. Figure 9 illustrates the result of this operation and shows thesecond box a safe marginbehind the lug 28 to insure timing of the boxprior to its release to the action of the intermediate conveyor 46, 47.

The shifting of the second box involves a flexing or folding of theflaps 66 and 67 along their respective fold lines.

The driving mechanism of the conveying device and the interrelationbetween the various conveyors is best explained by referring tothediagrarnmatic Figures 10 and ll.

The main drive shaft 55 of the conveying device carries a chain gear 56around which the drive chain 57 extends. The chain 57 in theinstallation shown in Figure 6 extends to a further gear 68 on a powerdriven shaft 69 of the packdown machine which contains a main primemover for operating the packdown machine and the conveying mechanismwhich feeds it.

Referring again to Figures 10 and 11, the drive shaft 55 carries asprocket gear 70 from which a drive chain 71 extends to a furthersprocket gear 22 on the shaft 21. The shaft 21 carries the end pulleys18, 19 of the vertical receiving conveyor whose other terminal pulleys16, 17 are on the shaft 20. The receiving conveyor 14 extends over threeguide rollers 24 of which the third one, counting from the left, changesthe direction of the upper run of the conveyor 14 so as to move awayfrom the boxes which are about to be engaged by the intermediateconveyor 46, 47.

The drive shaft 21 further carries drive pulleys 48, 49 for theintermediate conveyor belts 46 and 47. The pulleys 48 and 49 have alarger diameter than the pulleys 1.8, 19, thereby imparting to theconveyors 46, 47 a higher linear speed than the speed of the conveyors14, 15.

The chain 71 which extends from the gear 70 and drives the sprocket gear22 also extends over an idler sprocket gear 72.

The main drive shaft 55 further carries the sprocket gear 54 aroundwhich the delivery conveyor chain 52 carrying lugs 53 is trained. Afurther sprocket gear 73 on the drive shaft 55 carries a drive chain 74extending over an idler gear 75 and a sprocket gear 76 on a shaft 77.The shaft 77 is also visible in Figure 7 and carries teeth and gear 54as having 44 teeth.

Gear 76 on shaft 77 is shown as having 14 teeth and being driven by thegear 73 which has 28 teeth. The sprocket gear 22 on the shaft 21 isindicated as having 15 teeth and being driven by the gear 70 which has21 teeth. The gear 44 of the rotating arm 40 and the gear 30 of thetiming conveyor are ,both indicated as having 18 teeth.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a modification of the receiving and timingconveyors in which only one timing conveyor chain 25 having lugs 27 isemployed. The conveyor chain 25 extends around gears 29 and 30 and isdriven in the same manner as previously described. For the purpose of anexample of relative conveyor velocities it may be assumed that theconveyor chain 25 moves at the rate of 4.5 inches per time unit. Itscooperating pusher arm 41 is mountcd oppositely, as in the previouslydescribed form of the mechanism, but makes twice as many revolutions.

The, receiving conveyor is of modified construction and comprises twofriction belts 14 and 15 of which the belt 15' moves ata faster ratethan the belt 14. A suit- 9 able speed relationship is 6.5 inches pertime unit for the belt 14 and 7.75 inches pertime unit for the belt '15.

As a: result, boxes entering the track 13 are pivoted clockwisely to runagainst the lugs 27 of the timing con veyor 25. Figure 12 illustratesthe position which spaced boxes 37 assume within the track 13. The boxesare pivoted until'their left trailing corner meets the rail 12whereafter they advance as shown.

Figure 13 illustrates the passage of boxes through the conveyor whichwere backed up end-to-end when entering. The pressure between the boxesprevents the boxes from pivoting fully. When the boxes reach theposition at which the arm 41 engages the boxes, they are pivoted to suchan extent that they cannot escape the arresting action of the lugs 27.

Obviously the principles of the invention explained in their particularapplication to a conveyor for supplying a pack-down machine may beapplied with similar advantages to conveying devices for other purposes.

What is claimed is:

l. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the ar ticles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles are movable; a receiving conveyor below saidtrack'for frictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track; atiming conveyor having spaced lugs laterally disposed with respect tothe track for engaging the leading ends of articles moved on said trackby said receiving conveyor, said timing conveyor being coextensive witha least the end portion of said receiving conveyor; means within theextent of said. timing conveyor for laterally displacing at leasttheleading ends of articles on said track into engagement with lugs ofsaid timing conveyor; an intermediate conveyor for receivingandfrictionally engaging articles released by said timing conveyor at theend of the timing conveyor; a delivery conveyor having spaced lugsthereon, the beginning of the delivery conveyor being spaced from'theend-of the timing conveyor, but overlapping a portion of the extent ofsaid'intermediate conveyor, the lugs of the delivery conveyor being sotimed that they move into the path of said track behind articles carriedon said intermediate conveyor, the length of the delivery conveyor beingsufiicient to permit its lugs to catch up with articles conveyed by saidfriction conveyor so that its lugs engage the backs of articles moved bysaid friction conveyor and advance them positively; and common drivemeans for driving said conveyors at interrelated speeds of which thespeed of the timing conveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receivingconveyor is higher, the speed of the intermediate conveyor is higherthan the speed of the receiving conveyor, and the speed of the deliveryconveyor is the highest.

2. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand fordelivering the articles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles are movable; a receiving conveyor below saidtrack for frictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track;atiming'conveyor having lugs lata deliveryconveyor having lugs spacedapart farther than the. length of the articles to be conveyed, thebeginning of the delivery conveyor being spaced from the end of thetiming conveyor, but'o'erlapping a portion of the extent of saidintermediate conv'eyor, the lugs of the de livery conveyor being sotimed that they move into the path of said track behind articles carriedon said intermediate conveyor, the length of the delivery conveyor beingsufiicient to permit its lugs to catch up with articles conveyed by saidfriction conveyor so that its lugs engage the backs of articles moved bysaid friction conveyor and advance them positively; and common drivemeans for driving said conveyors at interrelated speeds of which thespeed of the timing conveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receivingconveyor is higher, the speed of themtermediate conveyor is higher thanthe speed of the receiving conveyor, and the speed of the deliveryconveyor is the highest.

3. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles are movable; a receiving conveyor below saidtrack for frictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track;'atiming conveyor having lugs disposed along one side of the track andadapted to engage the leading ends of articles on said track by saidreceiving conveyor, said lugs being spaced less than the length of thearticles to be conveyed, the timing conveyor being coextensive with atleast the end portion of said receiving conveyor; a pusher projectibleintoand retractable v from the path of the articles moving on saidtrack, said pusher being mounted on the other side of the track oppositesaidlugs and timed with regard to said timing conveyor for displacingthe leading ends of said articles into the path of the lugs, the spacebetween the lugs and the projectecl pusher being less than the Width ofthe articles; an intermediate conveyor for receiving and frictionallyengaging articles released by said timing conveyor at the end of thetiming conveyor; a delivery conveyor having lugs spaced apart fartherthan the length of the ar ticles to be conveyed, the beginning of thedelivery conveyor being spaced from the end of the timing conveyor, butoverlapping a portion of the extent of said intermediate conveyor, thelugs of the delivery conveyor being so timed that they move into thepath of said track behind articles carried on said intermediateconveyor, the length of the delivery conveyor being sufiicient to permitits lugs to catch up with articles conveyed by said friction conveyor sothat its lugs engage the backs of articles moved by said frictionconveyor and advance them positively; and commondrive means for drivingsaid conveyors at interrelated speeds of which the speed of the timingconveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receiving conveyor is higher,the speed of the intermediate conveyor is higher than the speed of thereceiving conveyor, and the speed of the delivery conveyor is thehighest.

4. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles at such'velocityin timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles. are movable;la receiving conveyor "below saidtrack for frictionally engaging and advancing timing conveyor andadapted to engage articles moving on said traclr to displace the leadingends of said articles into the path of the lugs of one row or the other,o'ne'of said pushers being mounted on one side of the track, the otherpusher being mounted on the opposite side of the track andlongitudinally offset with respect to the one pusher; anintermediateconveyor for receiving and frictionally engaging articlesreleased by said timing conveyor at the end of the timing conveyor; adelivery con- ,veyor having lugs spacedapart farther than the lengthticles moved by said friction conveyor and advance them positively; andcommon drive means for driving said conveyors at interrelated speeds ofwhich the speed of the timing conveyor is the slowest, the speed of thereceiving conveyor is higher, the speed of the intermediate conveyor ishigher than the speed of the receiving conveyor, and the speediof thedelivery conveyor is the highest.

5. A device for gradually'accelerating articles, such as foldingboxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articlesare'movable; a substantially verticallydisposed receiving conveyor below said track for frictionally engagingthe underside of articles on said track; a substantiallyhorizontallydisposed timing conveyor having lugs laterally extending into the pathof articles on said track for engaging the leading ends of articlesadvanced on said trackby said receiving conveyor, said lugs being spacedless than the lengthof the articles to be conveyed, the run of thetiming conveyor being coextensive with at least the end portion of saidreceiving conveyor; a pusher arm mounted for rotation in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and adapted to swing into and out of the path ofarticles moving, on said track to engage the sides of said articles anddisplace at least the leading ends of the articles into the path of lugsof the timing conveyor opposite said pusher arm, said pusher arm beinggeared to rotate in timed relationship with said timing conveyor; anintermediate conveyor for receiving and frictionally engaging articlesreleased by said timing conveyor at the end of the timing conveyor; adelivery conveyor having lugs spaced apart farther than the length ofthe articles to be conveyed, the beginning of the delivery conveyorbeing spaced from the end ofthe timing conveyor, but overlapping aportion of the extent 'of'said intermediate conveyor, the lugs, of thedelivery the speed of the timing conveyor is; the slowest, the speed 7of the receiving conveyor is higher, the speed of the in- 'termediateconveyorishigher, than the speed of the receiving conveyor, and thespeed of the delivery conveyor is the highest. I

6. A device for gradually accelerating articles, suchas folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined, velocity.and for delivering the articles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles are movable; a substantially verticallydisposed receiving conveyor below said track for fric- '12 a a ationally engaging the underside, of articles on said track; asubstantiallyhorizontally disposed timing conveyor composed of twohorizontally disposedconveyor units carrying lugs laterally extendinginto the path of articles on said track, said lugs being adapted toengage the leading endsof articles advanced on said tracklby saidreceiving conveyor, the lugs of one unit being staggered with respect tothe lugs of the other unit, successive lugs of the timing conveyor beingspaced less than the length of the articles to be conveyed, the timingconveyor being coextensive with at least the end portion of saidreceiving conveyor; two pusher arms mounted for rotation in asubstantially horizontal plane and adapted to swing into and out of thepath of articles moving on said track, one arm being mounted on one sideof the track, the other arm being mounted on the opposite side of thetrack and offset with respect to the one arm in the direction of thetrack, said arms being adapted to engage the sides of the articles anddisplace at least the leading ends of the articles into the path of thelugs of the timing conveyor unit opposite the respective pusher arm,said pusher arms being geared to rotate in timed relationship with saidtiming conveyor; an intermediate vertically disposed conveyor forreceiving, and frictionally engaging the underside of, articles releasedby said timing conveyor at the end of said timing conveyor; asubstantially vertically disposed delivery conveyor having lugs spacedfarther apart than the length of the articles to be conveyed, thebeginning of the delivery conveyor being spaced from the end of saidtiming conveyor, but overlapping a portion of the extent of saidintermediate conveyor, the lugs of the delivery conveyor being so timedthat they move into the path of said track behind articles carried onsaid intermediate conveyor, the length of the delivery conveyor beingsufiicient to permit its lugs to catch up with articles conveyed by saidfriction conveyor so that its lugs engage the backs of articles moved bysaid friction conveyor and advance them positively; and common drivemeans for driving said conveyors at interrelated speeds of which thespeed of the timing conveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receivingconveyor is higher, the speed of the intermediate conveyor is higherthan the speed of the receiving conveyor, and the speed of the deliveryconveyor is the highest.

7. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, 'to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles at such velocity in timed and spacedorder, the device comprising, in combination, means forming a trackalong which said articles are movable; a receiving conveyor below saidtrack for frictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track,said receiving conveyor comprising two conveyor units of which one movesat a higher rate of speed than the other, thus tending to pivot articlesengaged thereby; a timing conveyor having spaced lugs along one side ofsaid track for engaging the leading ends of articles advancing andpivoting on said track, said timing conveyor being coextensive with atleast the end portion of said receiving conveyor, its lugs beingadjacent the slower of the two units of the receiving conveyor; anintermediate conveyor for receiving and frictionally engaging articlesreleased by said timing conveyor at the end of the timing conveyor; adelivery conveyor having spaced lugs thereon, the beginning of thedelivery conveyor being spaced from the end of the timing conveyor, butoverlapping a portion of the extent of said intermediate conveyor, thelugs of the delivery conveyor being so timed that they move, into thepath of said track behind articles carried on said intermediateconveyor, the length of the delivery conveyor being sufficient to permitits lugs to catch up with articles conveyed by said friction conveyor sothat its lugs engage the backs of articles moved by said frictionconveyor and advance them positively; and common drive means for drivingsaid conveyors at interrelated speeds ofwhich the speed of the timingconveyor is the slowest, the speeds of both units of the receivingconveyor are higher than the speed of the timing conveyor, and'the speedof the intermediate conveyor is higher than the speed of the faster ofthe units of the receiving conveyor, and the speedof the deliveryconveyor is the highest.

8. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predeterminedvelocityand for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, thedevice comprising, in combination, means forminga track along which saidarticles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track; a timingconveyor having spaced lugs laterally disposed with respect to the trackfor engaging the leading ends of articles moved on said track by saidreceiving conveyor, the said timing conveyor being coextensive with atleast the end portion of said receiving conveyor; means within theextent of said timing conveyor for laterally displacing at least theleading ends of articles on said track into engagement with lugs of saidtiming conveyor; a further conveyor for receiving and frictionallyengaging articles released by said timing conveyor at the end of thetiming conveyor; and common drive means for driving said conveyors atinterrelated speeds of which the speed of the timing conveyor is theslowest, the speed of the receiving conveyor is higher, and the speedofsaid further conveyor is" higher than the speed of said receivingconveyor.

9. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding'boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for deliveringv the articles in' uniformly spaced order, the devicecomprising, in combination, means forming a track along which saidarticles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track; a timingconveyor having lugs along at least one side of the track for engagingthe leading ends of articles moved on said track by said receivingconveyor, successive lugs being spaced less than the length of thearticles to be conveyed, the timing conveyor being coextensive with atleast the end portion of saidreceiving conveyor; means within the extentof the timing conveyor for laterallydisplaci'ng at least the leading endof articles on said trackinto'engagement with lugs on the timingconveyor; a'further conveyor for receiving and frictionally engagingarticles released by said timingconveyor at the end of the timingconveyor; and common drive means for driving said conveyors atinterrelated speeds of which the speed of the timing conveyor is theslowest, the speed of the receiving conveyor ishigher, and the speed ofsaid further conveyor is higher than the speed of said receivingconveyor.

A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predeterminedvelocityand for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, the-devicecomprising, in combination, means forming a track along which saidarticles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging and advancing articleson' said track; a timingconveyor having a row of lugs along one side of the track and a furtherrow of lugs along the opposite side of the track, the lugs of the onerow being staggered with respect to the lugs of the other row,successive lugs of the timing conveyor being spaced apart less than thelength of the articles to be conveyed, the timing conveyor beingcoextensive with at least the end portion of said receiving conveyor;means within the extent of the timing conveyor for laterally displacingat least the leading end of articles filling the track alternately intoengagement with the lugs within one row and the other row; a furtherconveyor for receiving and frictionally engaging articles released bysaid timing conveyor at the end of the timing conveyor; and common drivemeans for driving said conveyors at interrelated speeds of which thespeed of thetiming conveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receivingconveyor is higher, and the speed of saidfurt'ner conveyor is higherthan the speed of said receiving conveyor.

ll.' A devicefor gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, the devicecomprising, in combination, means forming a track along which saidarticles are movable; a receivingconveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging'and advancing articles on said track; a timingconveyor having lugs along the side of the track for engaging theleading ends" of articles moved on said track by said receivingconveyors, successive lugs being spaced less than the length of thearticles to be conveyed, the timing conveyor being coextensive with'atleast the end portion of said receiving conveyor; a pusher periodicallyprojectible into the path of articles moving on said track, said pusherbeing timed with regard to said timing conveyor and mounted on the sideof the track opposite said lugs,'the distance between the projectedpusher and the row of lugs being less than the width of the articles, sothat the projected pushed displaces the leading ends of the articlesinto the path of the lugs; a further conveyor for receiving andfrictionally engaging articles released by said timing conveyor at theend of the timing conveyor; and common drive means for driving saidconveyors at interrelated speeds of which the speed of the timingconveyor is the slowest, the speed of the receiving conveyor is higher,and'the speed ofsaid further conveyor is higher than the speed of saidreceiving conveyor.

12. A' device for gradually accelerating articles, such as foldingboxes, supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predeterminedvelocity and for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, thedevice comprising, in combination, means forming a track along whichsaid articles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track;

lugs of the other row, successive lugs of the timing conveyor beingspaced less than the length of'the articles to be conveyed, the'timingconveyor being coextensive with at least the end portion of saidreceiving conveyor; 7 a pair of pushers projectible into and retractablefrom the path of the articles moving on said track, said pushers beingtimed with regard to said timing conveyor and adapted to engage articlesmoving on said track to displace the leading ends of said articles intothe path of the lugs of one row orthe' other, one of said pushers beingmounted on one side of the track, the other pusher being mounted on theopposite side of the track and longitudinally oifset with respect to theone pusher; a further conveyor for receiving and frictionally engagingarticles released'by said timing conveyor at the end of the timingconveyor; and common drive means for driving said con veyors atinterrelated speeds ,of which the speed of the timing conveyor is theslowest, thespeed of the receiving conveyor is higher, and'the speed ofsaid further conveyor 'is'h'igher than the speed of said receivingconveyor.

13. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, the devicecomprising, in combination, means forming a track along which saidarticles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said track forfrictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track; asubstantially horizontally disposed timing conveyor havingrlugs along atleast one side of the track for engaging the leading ends of articlesmoved on said track by said receiving conveyor, successive lugs beingspaced less than the length of the articles to be conveyed, the timingconveyor being coextensive with at least the end portions of saidreceiving conveyor; a pusher arm "is, a

mountedfor rotation in asubstantially horizontal plane and adaptedtoswing into and out of the path of articles moving on said traclttoengage-the sides or said articles and displace at least ,theleading endsof the articles into the path of the lugs of the timing conveyoropposite said engaging articles-released bysaid timing conveyor at theend of the, timing "conveyor; and common drive means for driving saidconveyors at interrelated speeds 'of which,

. the speed of the timing conveyor is the slowest, the speed of thereceiving conveyor is higher, and the speed of I saidturther conveyor ishigher than the speed of said receiving conveyor.

14. A device for gradually accelerating articles, such as folding boxes,supplied to the device inirregular order, to a predetermined velocityand for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, the devicecomprising, in combination, means forming a track along. which saidarticles are movable; a receiving conveyor below said trackv forfrictionally engaging and advancing articles on said track; atimingconveyor composed of two horizontally disposed conveyorunitscarrying lugs extending into the path ofarticles on said trackadjacentthe sides of the track, said lugs being adapted to engage theleading ends of articles advanced on said track by said receivingconveyor, the lugs of one unit being staggered with respect tothe lugsof the other unit, successive lugs of, the timing conveyor being spacedless than the length of articles to be conveyed, the timing conveyorbeing coextensive with at least the end portion of said receivingconveyor; two pusher arms mounted for rotation in a substantiallyhorizontal plane and adapted to swing into and out of the path lugs of'the timing conveyor unit opposite the respective pusher arm, saidpusherarms being geared to rotate in timedrelationship with said timingconveyor; a further conveyor for receiving and, frictionally engagingarticles released by said timingconveyor at the end of the timingconveyor; and common drive means for driving said conveyors atinterrelated speeds of which the speed of the timing conveyor is theslowest, the speed of the receiving conveyor is higher, and the speed ofsaid further conveyor is higher than the speed of said receivingconveyor.

15. 'A device for gradually accelerating articles, such asrfoldingboxes, supplied to the device in irregular order, to a predeterminedvelocity and for delivering the articles in uniformly spaced order, thedevice comprising, in

combinatiommeans forming a track alonglwhich said articles are movable;a receiving conveyor below said track for frictionally engaging andadvancing articles on said track; said receiving conveyor comprising twoconveyor units of'which one moves at a higher rate of speed than theother, thus tending to pivot articles enreceiving conveyor.

1e 7 g a gaged thereby; a timing conveyor having spaced lugs along onesideof said track for engaging the leading ends of articles advancingand pivoting on said track,

:sa'id'timing conveyor being coextensive with at least the end portionof said receiving conveyor, its lugs being adjacent the slower of thetwo units of the receiving conveyor; a further conveyor for receivingand frictionally engaging articles released by said timing conveyor atthe endof the timing conveyor; and common drive means for driving saidconveyor at interrelated speeds of which .the speed of the timingconveyor is the slowest, the

speeds of both units of the receiving conveyor are higher than the speedof the timing conveyor, and the speed of said further conveyor is higherthan the speed of said .16. In a device for conveying and deliveringarticles,

such: as folding boxes, supplied to the devicein irregular order, intimed and spaced order of delivery, the 'device comprising, incombination, means forming a track along which said articles aremovable; a receiving conveyorbelowsaid track for frictionally engagingand advancing articles on said track; a timing conveyor hav- 'ing spacedlugs laterally disposed with respect to the track for engaging theleading ends ,ofarticles moved on said track by said receiving conveyor,the timing conveyor being coextensive with atleast the end portion ofsaid receiving conveyor; means within the extent of the timing conveyorfor laterally displacing at least the leading ends of articles on saidtrack into engagement with lugs of said timing conveyor, said lugs beingspaced less than the length of the articles to be conveyed; and drivemeans for moving said receiving conveyor at a higher linear speed thansaid timing conveyor. v.

17. In'a device for conveying and delivering articles, such as foldingboxespsup'plied to the device in irregular order, in timed and spacedorder of delivery, the device tcornprising, in combination, meansforming a track along of articles moving on said track, said pusherbeing timed with regard to said timingconveyor and mounted on the sideof thetrack opposite said lugs, the distance between the projectedpusher and the lugs being less than the width of the articles, so thatthe projected pusher displaces the leading ends of the articles into thepath of said lugs; and drive means for propelling said receivingconveyor at a higher linear speed than said timing conveyor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSGuefiroy Feb. 1 2, 1957 Jones Sept. 10, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICECERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,840,224 June 24, 1958 Frank MaLefief It is hereby certified that error appears in the-printedspecification of the above "numbered patent requiring correction andthat the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 1, line 60, for "individually" read m individual column '7,

line 48, for "decent" read descent column 14, line 23, for "pushed" readpusher Signed and sealed this 2nd day of December 1958o XSEAL) ttest:

Attesting Oflicer Commissioner of Patents

